Ordnance.



No. 646,595. Patented Apr. 3, I900. F. W. BROOKS.

ORDNANCE.

(Application filed Apr. 17, 1899.\ (No Model.) l0 SheetsSheet I.

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DRDNANGE.

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URDNANCE. (Application filed Apt: 17, 1899.)

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THE cams PETERS co., worn-Lama, WASHINGTON, 'n c No. 646,595. Patented Apr. 3, I900.

F. W. BROOKS. ORDNANCE (Application filed Apr. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) l0 Sheets$heet 6.

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THE Moms PEYERS co. PnoTo umu. WASHINGTON, u. c

Patented Apr. 3, I900. F. W. BROOKS.

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THE NORRIS FEfERs co. PNUTQLITHQ, WASHINGTON. n. c

Wi'lgcsscs No. 646,595. Patented Apr. 3, I900.

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(Application filed Apr, 17, 1899.) I (No Model.) ll) Sheets$heet a TNE NORms PETERS co PwoTaun-n, WASHINGTON. a. c.

No. 646,595. Patontd Apr. 3, 1900. r. w. snooxs.

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No. 646,595. Patented Apr. 3, I900.

F. W. BROOKS.

-0RDNANCE.

(Application filed Apr. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) l0 Sheets-$he6t l0 A90 /26 a; a; /4/

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THE "cams PETERS 00.. PHOTO-LITHCL. WASHINGTON, u, c.

y to explode the charge.

NlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,595, dated April 3, 1900. Application filed April 17, 1899. Serial No. 713,386. (No model.)

tion is to produce ordnance which may be loaded and discharged manually or which may be loaded by power and fired manually to adapt the gun for aimed shots, or which may be loaded and fired automatically by power, and thus only require the gun to be sighted by the attendant.

According to myinvention the charge, usually of fixed ammunition, is fed automatic-' ally to a reciprocating loading-carriage having the firing-bolt. Said loading-carriage is advanced to introduce the charge into the gun-breech and simultaneously set the firingbolt for action, and then the breech-block is moved to close the gun-breech and bring the firing-pin which is carried by the breechblock into alinement with the set firing-bolt. This bolt may be released either manually or automatically to impel the firing-bolt against the firing-pin, and thereby act on the primer The breech-block is now reversed and opened, the extractor on the loading-carriage grips the shell of the exploded charge, said carriage is retracted to move the shell out of the breech, and finally the shell is discharged previous to loading the carriage with another ammunition charge.

The advancement and'retraction of the loading-carriage with the firing-bolt and extractor is eifected automatically by a mastergear adapted to be turned first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, and with said mastergear is associated a reversing clutch and drivingmechanism adapted to be driven continuously in eitherdirection by hand or by power for giving the necessary rotation to said n1aster-gear. Said reversing shipping-rod, and the adjusting means which controls the clutch mechanism.

With the loading-carriage is combined a revoluble feed-cylinder adapted to supply the ammunition charge to said carriage and the breech, said feed-cylinder being rotated with a step-by-step feed to present the ammunition charges successively in alinement with said breech. Said feed-cylinder is actuated at proper intervals by a secondary carriage, which will hereinafter be termed a feedcylinder-operating carriage, that is adapted to be actuated from the master-gear alternately with the loading-carriage, and said feed-cylinder-operating carriage is equipped with devices that operate to lock the feed cylinder against rotation on its axis during the periods of loading and extracting the charge.

The charges of fixed ammunition in quick- ,firing and machine guns are supplied one at a time to the feed-cylinder by an oscillating feeder which is rocked in they intervals between the rotation of said feed-cylinder, and said feeder serves to properly introduce the ammunition charge into the feed-cylinder when the gun is working at high speed.

My invention also contemplates the employment of a vertically-movable breechblock and means for automatically adjusting the same during the periods of loading and extracting the ammunition charges. Said breech-block is constructed to force the ammunition charge tightly to its place in the breech,and it carries the firing-pin,which is arranged to be alined with the firing-bolt on the loading-carriage. With the breech-block is combined an adjusting and lockingring or sleeve that is driven from the master-gear to raise the breech-block after the shell of the ammunition charge shallhave been ex ioded, said ring or sleeve serving also to lower th e breech-block on the insertion of the charge. This ring or sleeve has positive cam connections with the breech-block and is arranged to have interlocking engagement with the breech-block in order to lock said block firmly to its seated position in the breech, and said ring is furthermore provided with a cam-lug that is adapted to work in connection with the firing mechanism. This firing mechanism is arranged for operation automatically or by hand under different conditions in the service of the gun. Said firing mechanism includesa sear guided for reciprocating movement into and out of the path of the firing-bolt, and linked to this sear is a rock-shaft having connection with a cam-plate which is capable of both reciprocating and pivotal play, said camplate being adapted for engagement with the cam-lug on the sleeve or ring which controls the breech-block. The cam-plate of the firing mechanism is pivoted to and carried by a reciprocating carrier-plate that is disposed over a ring or sleeve, and an operating-rod has cam-slotted connection with said reciprocating carrier-plate. 'This operating-rod is controlled by a spring and is adapted to be locked in a retracted position by a lever when the firing mechanism is actuated automati ically.

The invention further consists in the novel combination ofinstrumentalities and in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of the various parts for service, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated the preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved ordnance with the muzzle broken away and illustrating the reversing clutch driving mechanism adjusted to'automatically load, fire, and extract the ammunition charge. Fig. 2 is'a plan view of the ordnance represented by Fig. 1, showing the top of the casing removed and the gun partly broken away, the loading-carriage which supports the firing-bolt and extractor being'shownin theretracted positions ready to engage with the ammunition charge in the feed-cylinder previous to forcing said charge into the gun breech. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional plan view on the plane indicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 5, the loading-carriage being shown in its advanced position and the firing-bolt retracted and set in a position to be released for actuation against the firing-pin of the breech-block. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional elevation taken longitudinally through the ordnance on the plane indicated by the dotted line a 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 5 5 of Fig. 3, the several working elements of the ordnance being represented in corresponding positions in both Figs. 3 and 5. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are'vertical its raised position and with the extractor engaged with the shell of the exploded charge previous to retracting said shell from the breech and placing the shell in position within the chamber of the revoluble magazine. Fig. 9 is avertical longitudinal section at one side of the axis of the gun and taken through the revoluble feed-cylinder and its oscillating feeder, also showing a part of the firing mechanism, the plane of section being indicated by the dotted line 9 9 on Fig. 2. Fig.

10 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation through the master-gear and the revoluble feed-cylinder with the parts associated therewith,'the plane of section being indicated by the dotted line 10 10 on Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation of the reversing clutch-driving mechanism, showing the latter adjusted to load the gun by power, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 11 11 on Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 12 is a sectional side elevation similar to Fig. 11, but showing the reversing clutch-driving mechanism acting on the clutch-shipping rod to antomatically throw the gearing out of operative relation to the power-shaft, whereby the firing mechanism may be controlled by hand after the ammunition charge shall have been loaded into the breech and the firing-bolt set in its operative relation to the firing-pin.

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the slidable feed cylinder operating carriage re equipped with a feed device that engages with i the cam-slotted sleeve on the shaft of the revoluble magazine, to rotate the latter with a step-by-step feed. Fig. 14. is a similar detail perspective view of the lower loading-carriage, illustrating the firing-bolt and the shellextractor. Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of the revoluble feedcylinder, its shaft, and the cam-slotted feed-cylinder removed from the housing or casing of the gun. Fig. 16 is a detail rear elevation of the gun-breech, showing the relation of the breech-block and the ring or sleeve which controls said breechblock, the block being represented in its raised position. Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16, but showing the parts in their reversed positions to firmly force the breech-block to its seat in the gun-breech after the ammunition charge shall have been placed therein. Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view of the adj usting and locking ring or sleeve that is driven from the master-gear and is adapted to control the breech-block and to work in connection with the cam-plate of the firing mechanism. Fig. 19 is a detail perspective View of the breech-blockremoved from the gun-breech and the ring or sleeve. Figs. 20, 21, and 22 are detail views of the master-gear that is adapted to operate the loading-carriage, the feed cylinder operating carriage, and the breech-block, Fig. 20 being a face view from one side of the gear, Fig. 21 being an edge view, and Fig. 22 a face view, showing the reverse side of the gear. Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail view in elevation of a part of the supplementary frame within the housing or casing for the operative parts of the gun, said figure representing a part of the firing mechanism adapted to be operated automatically by the cam-lug on the ring or sleeve of the gun-breech, whereby the firing-bolt may be released automatically to explode the ammunition charge. Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23, representing the firing mechanism adapted for operation by hand, the cam-slotted plate of said firing mechanism being movable with the reciprocating carrier-plate that is adjusted endwise by the firing rod or lanyard to bring the cam-plate into contact with the cam-lug on the ring or sleeve. Fig. 25 is a detail perspective View of part of the firing mechanism, to more clearly show the construction and relation of the several parts thereof. Fig. 26 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a part of the oscillating feeder which is used in connection with the revoluble feedcylinder when the ordnance is adapted to quick'firing guns. Fig. 27 is a detail sectional View of the spring-controlled brake, which assists in restraining the feed-cylinder from rotation during the period of loading and extracting the ammunition charge. Fig. 28 is a detail view of the extractor device detached. from the loading-carriage. Fig. 29 is a detail view of the slotted detent-plate by which the locking-lever of the firing mechanism may be held in the retracted position.

The same numeralsof reference are used to indicate like and corresponding parts in each of the several figuresof the drawings. The bed 30, which carries the gun 31, may be of any usual orpreferred construction, and the gun itself may be of the single-piece construction or of-the built-up variety. As is usual in the art, the gun 31 is provided near its breech with the trunnions 32, that are mounted in proper bearings on the bed 30 for the elevation and depression of the gun. Secured firmly to the gun 31, between its breech and the trunnions, is a main frame or housing 33, which is movable with the gun and is adapted to sustain the operating mechanism by which the charges are introduced into the gu n,fired,an'd extracted. This frame or housing 33 may be of the construction pressed firing-pin 45.

shown by Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive; but said housing may be varied in material respects within the province of a skilled constructor. The housing forms a chamber adapted to contain and conceal nearly all of the working elements except the reversing clutch-driving mechanism that is disposed on the outside of the housing and the gun, as clearly shown by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 10, and 11. The breech 34 of the gun is provided on its lower side with the rounded or beveled surface 35, adapted to guide or direct the ammunition charge into the bore, and in the bore at the end of the breech are provided the longitudinal grooves 36 36, which are disposed parallel to the axis of the gun and on diametrically-opposite sides of the bore thereof. (See Figs. 16 and 17.) These radial grooves 36 36 extend a suitable distance into the breech 34 to accommodate the members of the shell extractor. The breech is furthermore provided in its lower side with a parallel groove 37, the length of which is equal to that of the extractor-grooves previously described, and this lower groove 37 receives the pusher-arm on the loadingcarriage, by which the ammunition charge is introduced into the breech. The gun-breech 34 is furthermore provided with a vertical guideway 38, (indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 16 and 17,) and this vertical guideway is in a plane between the diametrically-op posite extractor-grooves 36 36 The breech-block 39 is fitted snugly in the vertical guideway 38 of the breech, and said block is adapted to reciprocate in a verticaldirection and across the bore of the gun-breech. Said breech-block is provided in its opposite vertical edges with longitudinal grooves 40, (see Fig. 19,) and with the grooved faces of said breech-block engages the fixed guides 41, which span the space between sides of the frame or housing 33 and serve to direct the breech-block in its vertical play with relation to the gun-bore. As shown by Fig. 19, the upper end of the breech-block is reduced in thickness to form the connecting-finger 42, and on opposite sides of this connecting-finger the breech-block 39 is provided with curved edges 43, upon which is adapted to ride the adj usting and locking' ring when the breech-block is lowered to position across the bore, as will hereinafter appear. The breech -block is fu rthermore provided at apoint intermediate its length with a transverse socket or opening 44, in which is contained the spring- This firingpin is mounted in the breech-block to travel therewith; but the pin is capable of a limited endwise movement in the breech-block transversely to the path of vertical movement thereof, whereby the firing-pin is adjusted on the loweringof the breech-block into alinement with the firing-bolt and with the primer of the ammunition charge, which is placed in the gun breech previous to lowering the breech-block. Theinner face of the breech block, which lies next to the ammunition IIO charge, is formed with a beveled or curved portion 46, (see Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive,) and after the ammunition charge shall have been introduced into the breech the block 39 is lowered for its beveled face 46 to impinge against the butt-end of the charge, whereby the lowering of the breech-block forces the charge with a wedging action firmly into the breech 34, as graphically represented by Figs. 5 and 7. a v 7 y One of the important elements of my improved gun is the revoluble breech-block-adj'uster ring or sleeve 47, which is fitted to the breech 34 and is connected operatively with the master-gear to be moved or turned positively thereby, and this ring or sleeve serves the important purpose of adjusting the breech-block in a vertical direction across the bore of the gun, of locking the breech-block firmly in its lowered position subsequently to the introduction of the ammunition, and of operating in connection with the cam-plate of the firing mechanism that sets and releases the firing-bolt. This ring or sleeve 47 is shown more clearly by the detail view Fig. 18 of the drawings. Said sleeve or ring is fitted loosely on a flanged or recessed seat 48 of the gun-breech, as shown by Figs. 3 to 8,'inclusive, and this seat permits the ring or sleeve to turn freely in either direction on the axis of the gun-breech, but restrains the sleeve from endwise movement in either direction. The ring or sleeve is provided with a wide radial slot 49 and with a narrow slot 50, the two slots being contiguous and in communication, as shown by Fig. 18. The width of the slot 49 is suflicient for the breech-block 39 to pass freely through the ring when the latter is in one position; but on the lowering of the block and partial rotation of the ring or sleeve the finger 42 of the block enters the narrow radial slot 50,

whereby the ring is adapted to impinge against the curved edges 43 at the upper end of the breech-block and confine said breech-block firmly to its seat when lowered across the bore of the gun-breech 34. The ring or sleeve is furthermore providedwith a curved arm 51,

which is fast with the sleeve to rock or turn therewith, and this arm is eccentric to the axis of the ring or sleeve andis disposed contiguous to the connecting-finger 42 of the breech-block. Said curved eccentric arm 51 is formed with a longitudinal arc shaped slot 53, that is arranged to receive the frictionroller 54, which is mounted loosely on a pin 55, secured firmly to the outer end of the connecting-finger 42 on the breech-block. The friction-roller 54 is adapted to ride or travel freely within the slot of the eccentric arm when the latter is turned with the sleeve or ring, and the rocking or oscillating movement mechanical connection between the oscillating sleeve or ringand the reciprocating breechblock, and the latter is thus adapted to be raised and lowered positively. At the end of the gun near the open end of the breech the ring or sleeve is provided with a bevel gearsegment 56, the teeth of which are arranged to mesh with one series of teeth on the master-gear 58, and at the ends of this gear-segment the sleeve or ring is formed with a lug 56, arranged to coaet with similar lugs on the master-gear, as will presently appear, in

order to position the ring or sleeve for en- 1 gagement of its gear-segment 56 with the mas tor-gear in a manner to avoid stripping the teeth, particularly when the gun is working at high speed. Said ring or sleeve is f urthermore provided on its cylindrical surface and contiguous to the bevel gear-segment with a cam-lug 57, which protrudes a sufficient distance beyond the surface of the sleeve and the segment for engagement With the cam-plate of the firing mechanism.

The master-gear 58 is secured fast to a hori zontal shaft 59, which is journaled in a hearing 60 on one side of the frame or housing at apointintermediate thelengththereof. This master-gear is disposed at one side of the axis of the gun, and it lies contiguous to the ring or sleeve 47 for engagement with the bevel gear-segment 56 thereof. The master-gear actuates the loading-carriage, the feed-cyL inder operating carriage, and the ring or sleeve for the breech-block at proper intervals, and to this end said master-gear is peculiarly fashionedor constructed with three several series of gear-segments, all as represented more clearly by Figs. 20 to 22, inclusive. The shaft 59, which carries the master-gear, is adapted to protrude beyond the housing or main frame 33 a sufficient distance for the reception of two mutilated gears forming parts of the train of oppositely-rotating gears by which the shaft 59 and the master-gear 58 may be driven in opposite directions, and one end of the shaft 59 is made square or polygonal, as at 59, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) for the purpose of receiving a crank by which the shaft 59 of the master-gear may be rotated directly in the event of injury to the reversing clutch driving mechanism. For the operation of the loading-carriage the master-gear 58 is provided with a peripheral series of teeth 61, forming a segment which is adapted to mesh with a rack on said loading-carriage, and said gear 58 is furthermore provided with a segmental flange 62, forming the abrupt shoulders 63 64, which are disposed at opposite ends of the segment 61 and ward direction from the gun-breech, so that the cam-rib will act on the carriage to preliminarily withdraw the exploded shell from the gun-breech, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The master-gear 58 is furthermore provided with a series of teeth constituting a geansegment 66, said segment being located on the opposite face of' the gear from the camrib and disposed out of the plane of the segment 61, which actuates the loading-carriage. The segment 66 is formed on the master-gear in the interval or space between the ends of the loading-carriage segment 61, and this segment 61 has a greater number of teeth than the segment 66 for the feed cylinder-operating carriage. The loading-carriage travels a greater distance toward and from the gun-breech than the feed-cylinder-operating carriage, and it is therefore necessary to increase the number of teeth of the segment 61 as compared with the teeth forming the segment 66, whereby the feed-cylinder-operating car-' riage is moved a short distance as compared with the travel of the loading-carriage. The face of the master-gear opposite the segment 66 is formed with a series of bevel gear-teeth 67, constituting a bevel gear-segment, which meshes with the corresponding segment 56 on the ring or sleeve 47, and at the ends of the bevel gearsegment 67 are theshoulders 68 69, which are arranged to coact with thelugs 56 on the sleeve or ring 47. In the rotation of the master-gear in one direction the shoulder 68 of its bevel gear-segment 67 impinges against one of the lugs 56 on the ring or sleeve 47 to move the latter into a position for the bevel gear-segment 56 of said sleeve to mesh with the bevel gear-segment 67 on the mastergear, and thus the master-gear is caused to mesh with and rotate the ring or sleeve a proper distance for adjusting the breech-.

block in one direction. On the reverse rotation of the master-gear the shoulder 69 of its bevel gear-segment impinges against the other lug 56 on the sleeve, and thus the gearsegment 56 on the sleeve is moved to a position for proper engagement with the gearsegment67 of the master-gear when the latter is driven in either direction and the parts coact to prevent stripping of the gear-teeth.

The two slidable carriages of myimproved gun mechanism are disposed below and contiguous to the master-gear 58, and to properly support the slidable carriages in operative re lation to this master-gear I employ the upper and lower guideways 70 71, which are fast with the main frame orhousing 33, as clearly shown by the drawings. The guideways are parallel to each other and disposed in different horizontal planes for presenting the two carriages in proper relation to the mastergear for the racks on said carriages to mesh to 8, inclusive. This loading-carriage is cast or otherwise formed, preferably, of a single piece of metal, although the detailed construction is not essential, and said carriage is fitted in the lower guideway 71 of the frame or housing One of the side rails of this loading-carriage is formed with a series of gear-teeth forming a rack 73, and at the ends of ,the rack are lugs 74:, which are to be engaged by the shoulders 63 64 on the master gear for the purpose of moving the carriage 72 to a position where the gear-segment 61 will properly engage with the teeth of the rack 73. To the carriage is fixed a vertical post 75, and on the upper end of this post is a horizontal bed 76.

The bed and post may.

have a foot-plate by which it is fixed firmly to the carriage in proper alinement with the bore of the gun. In one edge of the horizontal bed 76 a notch 77 is formed in a position to receive the cam-rib 65 on the master-gear, and in one position of the master-gear the segment 61 thereof is free from engagement with the rack 73 on the loading-carriage. Before the master-gear is disengaged from the rack of the loading-carriage one end of the cam-rib enters thenotch 77, and after the charge shall have been exploded this cam-rib 65 on the rotation of the mastergear impinges against one wall of the notch 77 in order to retract the carriage a limited distance away from the breech, after which the gear-segment 61 meshes with the rack 73 for the continued rearward movement of the loading-carriage. This organization of parts is especially advantageous in view of the fact that after the charge shall have been exploded the shell becomes partly wedged in the gun-breech by reason of expansion of the shell, and to extract this expanded and wedged shell from the breech by the intermeshing of the gear 61 with the teeth of the rack would impose considerable strain on the two series of teeth, which would have a tendency to injure or strip the teeth. I overcome this objectionable tendency by the arrangement of the cam-rib 65 on the master-gear in a manner to start the carriage 72 in its backward movement, so that the extractor will loosen the expanded shell in the breech, and, as before indicated, the full rearward movement of the carriage with the extractor and the shell away from the breech is effected by the engagement of the gear-segment 61 of the master-gear with the rack 7 3 on the carriage. The horizontal bed 76 on the post of the loading-carriage is provided on its upper face with transverse parallel guide-flanges 78 79, and the front flange 79 is provided with a curved upper edge 79, which is arranged to ride against a guide-plate that -is disposed opposite the revoluble feed-cylinder for the purpose of preventing the ammu nition charge from having a tendency to drop out of the feed-cylinder chamber on the rotation of the revoluble feed-cylinder, as will presen tly appear. The bed 76 of the loadingcarriage supports the firing-bolt 80. This bolt is fitted loosely in and guided by the front flange 79, and at its rear end said bolt is provided with a transverse head 81, to which are secured theguide-stems 82, slidably fitted in the guide-flange 78 at the rear end of the bed 76. It will thus be seen that the firing-bolt is guided by the flanges 78 79 for reciprocating movement or play on the bed of the loading-carriage, and this firing-bolt is capable of movement or play independently of the movement of the loading-carriage itself, whereby the firing-bolt may be set and released when the loading carriage is stationary at the breech of the gun. The firing-bolt is forcibly impelled in one direction by the coiled impelling-springs 83, which are fitted loosely on the guide-stems of said firing-bolt and are seated against the bolt-head 81 and the rear guideflange 78. When the firing-bolt is set by engagement with the sear of the firing mechanism, the impelling-springs 83 are com pressed between the bolt-head and the flange 7S, and on the release of the firing-bolt to actuate the firing-pin within the breech-block the shock orjar on the bed and loading-carriage due to the impact of the parts is cushioned by the employment of coiled cushioned springs 84, which are fitted on the extended ends of the guide-stems 82, said cushion-springs being held in place by the key-pins 85 and seated against the guide-flange 78. (See Fig- 14.)

The bed 7 6 of the loadiugcarriage also carries the extractor device by which the shell of the exploded ammunition charge is re tracted from the gun-breech. As shown by the drawings, the extractor consists of two members 86 87, which are disposed below the bed 76 and have their ends extended beyond opposite ends of the bed. The extractor members are arranged to cross or overlap each other, and they are pivotally connected together and to the bed by a single vertical pivotal bolt 88, whereby the front working ends of the extractor are made to move in opposite directions simultaneously. These front ends of the extractor members are notched, as at 89, to properly engage with the rim or flange on the shell of the ammunition charge, and the rear ends of the members are inclined, as at 90, (see Fig. 14,) in order that the extractor members may ride against the spreading stud 91, which is fixed to the frame or housing 33 in the path of the extractor. The members of the extractor are normally drawn together at their front ends by means of a connecting-spring 92, and the extractor is thus held in a position by the spring for its notched front ends to engage with the shell of the charge. On the forward movement of the carriage the ammunition charge is pushed or forced from the feed-cylinder chamber into the breech by means of a hori zontal pusher-arm 93, which is fastened securely to the bed 76 and occupies a position below the extractor and in a plane between the movable members 86 87 of said extractor. The pusher-arm 93 extends beyond the front end of the bed 76, and it is provided with a notch 94 to fit the lower edge of the shell on the ammunition charge, and in the forward movement of the loading-carriage this pusherarm 93 impinges against the closed butt-end of the charge in a manner to force the latter from the feed-cylinderinto the breech.

As the loadingcarriage approaches the limit of its rearward movement under the rotary action of the master-gear the inclined heels 90 of the extractor impinge against the spreading stud 91, which moves the extractor members on their pivots against the contractile energy of the spring 92, thereby spreading the front ends of the extractor members to release the exploded shell, which is gripped by said notched front ends. The exploded shell is adapted to be drawn from the gunbreech by the extractor on the rearward movement of the carriage, so that the shell will be introduced or deposited in the chamber of the feed-cylinder, from which it was delivered on the previous forward movement of the carriage, and as the extractor is released from the exploded shell by the time the carriage attains the limit of its rearward movement the shell may be discharged from the gun when the feed-cylinder rotates to prc'sent another ammunition charge into position for loading into the gun-breech. On the rotation of the feed-cylinder to present a fresh ammunition charge in line with the breech and the pusher of the loading-carriage the latter is advanced toward the gun-breech by the rotation of the master-gear in the proper direction, and as the carriage moves forward the heels of the extractor members are withdrawn from the spreading stud. At this period the extractor members clasp or fit the rim of the shell and the notched end 94 of thepusher-arm fits the shell. As the carriage continues to advance the charge is pushed or forced from the chamber of the magazine into the gun-breech, and the continued movement of the carriage causes the members of the extractor to enter the radial grooves 36 36 of the breech and the pusherarm to enter the groove 37 of said breech. The carriage now comes to a period of rest by the gear-segment 61, being free from engagement with the rack 73 of said carriage, and the master-gear through its bevel gearsegment 67 rotates the ring or sleeve 47 to make the eccentric arm 51 acton the breechblock to lower the latter across the gunbreech. The curved face of the breech-block impinges against the heel of the shell to force the charge home into the breech, and during the operation of exploding the charge the extractor members remain in engagement with the shell of said charge, so as to be in a position to extract the shell when the carriage is moved rearwardly, first, by the action of the cam-rib 65 on the notched bedplate, and, second, by the gear-segment 61, meshing with the rack '73 of the carriage, all as hereinbefore indicated.

The loadingcarriage 72 also carries the means by which an oscillating feederis actu ated, said feeder being in operative relation to the revoluble feed-cylinder when the gun is constructed for rapid firing. This means for actuating the oscillating feeder is embodied in the form of a rod 95, which is dis-' posed at one side of the firing-bolt and the extractor. This rod occupies an inclined position with relation to the horizontal plane of the loading-carriage 72, and said rod is secured detachably but firmly in place near one of the side bars of said carriage '72, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 14 and by full lines in Figs. 9 and 10.

I will now proceed to describe the revoluble feed-cylinder, which is disposed in operative relation to the gun-breech and the loadingcarriage, and this feed cylinder is actuated or rotated by a step-by-step feed mechanism which insures the presentation of the ammunition charges successively in line with the bore of the gun, the said feed-cyL inder being locked in the periods between the rotation on its axis for the purpose of holding the feed-cylinder stationary during theintroduetion of the charge into the gun, the firing of the charge, and the extraction of the exploded shell.

It will be recalled from the preceding description that the rearward movement of the loading-carriage serves to withdraw the shell of the exploded charge from the breech, and said shell is deposited in the chamber of the feed-cylinder from which it was taken for introduction into the breech, whereby on the next step in the rotation of the revoluble feedcylinder the expioded shell is discharged from one chamber of said feed-cylinder, while a fresh ammunition charge is being brought into position for introduction into the gunbreech. The revoluble feed-cylinder is fast with a horizontal shaft 97, which is arranged longitudinally with respect to the gun and at one side of the axis of the bore thereof, so that the chambers of said feed-cylinder will be brought into axial alinement with the gunbore to properly position the ammunition charges forin troduction into the breech. One end of the feed-cylinder shaft 97 is journaled in a bearing provided by a plate or lug 98 on the gun-breech, (see Figs. 16 and 17,) and the other end of said feed-cylinder shaft is mounted in a bearing at the closed rear end of the main frame 33. The feed-cylinder 96 is cylindrical in form, and it is constructed with aseries of longitudinal chambers 100. In the embodiment of the invention represented by the drawings, more particularly by Figs. 10 and 15, the feed-cylinder is shown as having a series of four chambers, each of which opens at one side through the cylindrical surface of the feed-cylinder and is open at both ends thereof. The ammunition charges are introprovided in the wall thereof'with a longitudin ai groove 102, that extends the full length of the feed-cylinder and opens through the ends of the same, and in a similar manner the bottom side of each feed-cylinder chamber 100 is'formed with a longitudinal groove 103, adapted to receive the pusher-arm 93 on the loading-carriage. The revoluble feed-cylin der is disposed in close relation to the gunbreech for its chambers 100 to aline successively therewith, and when the feed-cylinder is brought to rest the grooves 102 103 are alined successively with one extractor memberand the pusher-arm on the bed of the loading-carriage, whereby as the carriage is advanced the extractor and the pusher-arm are adapted to travel through the grooves of said feed-cylinder in order that the extractor may engage with the charge and the pusher may impel the charge endwise from the feed-cylinder chamber into the gun-breech. The feed-cylinder is held or locked in place during the loading operation, which is effected on the forward movement of the carriage, and said feed-cylinder also remains in the stationary locked position while the charge is being fired and the shell is extracted; but on the completion of the rearward movement of this loading-carriage the extractor is released from the exploded shell, and said extractor and the pusher-arm are moved far enough to clear the grooves 102 103 of the feed-cylinder chamber, thus making the loading mechanism free from the feed-cylinder,

so that the latter may rotate on its axis one step for discharging the empty shell from one chamber and presentinga fresh ammunition charge in another chamber into proper loading position to the gun-breech. The ammunition charge when deposited in the longitudinal chamber of the feed-cylinder is not gripped or held in place by clamping devices, and when the feed-cylinder is rotated the charge may have a tendency to roll out of the chamber, particularly when the gun is working at high speed. To overcome this tendency, I provide each chamber of the feedcylinder with a longitudinal detent-flange 104:, which is disposed at one side of the chamber near the line where it opens through the cylindrical surface of the feed-cylinder. To furthermore limit any tendency of the charge to fly out of the feed-cylinder chamber, a de-. tent-plate 150 is arranged contiguous to the scar and the firing mechanism. (See Figs. 4

and 5.) This detaining plate is disposed alongside of the feed-cylinder above the path of the bed on the loadingcarriage, and said ,n n m,.by which t e. revol le fe d-W inder is rotated by a step-by-step feed, and this feed-controller mechanism may be said to consist of two important elementsto wit, a cam-slotted cylinder 105, forming the feedcontroller proper,and a reciprocating carriage 110, said carriage being actuated by the master-gear 58 and serving to rotate the camslotted cylinder periodicaliy. The feed-controller 105 is fastened firmly to the shaft 97 of the revoluble feed-cylinder at one side of the latter, and said feed-controller is elongated and disposed lengthwise of the shaft, so that the axis of the feed-cylinder and the feed-controller 105 is formed by a common shaft. The feed-controller is peculiarly constructed by forming a series of straight longitudinal grooves 106 and a like series of spiral grooves 107, which join or connect the straight grooves 106, thus giving to the surface of the feed-controller the peculiar appearance represented by Figs. 2, 3, and 15.

The longitudinal grooves 106 are parallel to each other and spaced on the surface of the feed-controller at equal distances to correspond with'the spacing of the chambers 100 in the revoluble feed-cylinder; but the spiral grooves 107 are cut in the surface of the feedcontroller in the intervals between the longitudinal grooves. Each spiral groove opens into one longitudinal groove near that end of the feed controller contiguous to the feed cylinder; but the opposite end of the spiral groove connects with the adjacent longitudinal groove at or near the opposite end of the feed-controller 105. The end of the slot at the end of the feed-controller contiguous to the magazine is the entrance-point of a feed pin or spindle into the spiral groove, and this entrance of the spiral groove is deeper than the end of the longitudinal groove with which it communicates, so as to form an abrupt shoulder 108 between the entrance end of the spiral groove and the longitudinal slot with which it communicates. The spiral groove decreases in depth from the shoulder 108 toward its op posite end, where it communicates with the next longitudinal groove, and this decrease in the depth of the spiral groove from the shoulder 108 provides a shoulder 109 between the delivery end of the spiral groove and the longitudinal groove, into which said delivery end opens or communicates. This formation of the feed-controller with longitudinal and spiral grooves and the taper in the depth of the spiral grooves produces a construction which insures the rotation of the feed-controller under the reciprocating play of the feed pin or spindle, which is carried by the feed-cylinder-operating carriage 110. This feed-cylinder-operating carriage is slidably fitted in the upper guideway of the main frame or housing to travel in a rectilinear path under the impelling action of the gearsegment 66 of the master-gear 58. The feedcylinder-operatin g carriage 110 is represented in detail by Fig. 13 of the drawings, and one end of this carriage is open or unconnected, while the other end has the sidebars united by a cross-piece, all of the parts of the carriage being preferably cast in a single piece. The side bar of said carriage 110, which lies below and in the vertical plane of the mastergear 58, is provided in its upper face with a series of teeth forming a gear-rack 111, and with this rack is adapted to mesh the teeth 66 on the master-gear for the purpose of moving the carriage endwise in a rectilinear path below the loading-carriage and wholly i'nde pendent of the latter. On the cross-piece of the carriage 110 is erected a hollow or tubular post 112, (see Figs. 9 and 13,) and in this hollow post is slidably fitted a spring-controlled feed pin or spindle 113, the upper end of which is normally projected by this spring into engagement with the grooved feed-controller 105. t It will be understood that on the rearward movement of the loading-carriage to a position behind and free from the revoluble cylinder the master-gear is moved to a position for its gear-segment 66 to mesh with the rack 111 on the carriage 110. Assuming that the feed-carriage 110 is in the advanced position shown by Figs.7 and S and the feed pin or spindle 113 is in one of the straight grooves 106 at the forward end of thefeed-cylinder 105, the engagement of the master-gear segment 66 with the rack 111 will move the feed carriage in a rearward direction. The springpressed pin or spindle 113 is carried by or movable with the carriage 110 in a rectilineapath, and as the pin travels in a rearward dir rection with said carriage it rides against the shoulder 108 of the cam-slotted feed-controller the limit of its rearward movement the spindle or pin 113 passes from the spiral groove 107 into the next longitudinal groove, and during the travel of the spindle or pin 113in the spiral groove the pin is moved endwise in its post 112 to adapt itself to the taper or decrease in the depth of the spiral groove. At

the instant the pin reaches the next longitudinal groove in the feed-controller its spring recoils to suddenly impel the spindle into the longitudinal groove and past the shoulder 109, and thus the'feed-controller is given a quarter-turn by the reciprocating movement of the carriage 110 in a backward direction, whereby the feed-cylinder is rotated one step to present a fresh charge of ammunition into alinement with the gun-breech. On the forward movementof the loading-carriage, due to the reversal of the m aster-gear by the driving mechanism, the gear-segment 66 of said niaster gear meshes with the rack on the feedcylinder-operating carriage 110 to move the latter in a forward direction for its full travel; but this forward movement of the feed-cylinder-operatin g carriage and the spring-pressed pin orspindle 13 thereon does not affect the cam-slotted feed-controller 105, because the pin or spindle 113 travels in the straight longitudinal groove of the cylinder, said pin riding past the abrupt shoulder 109 from one end of the straight groove, so as to position the spindle at the forward end of the straight groove and in advance of the shoulder 108,

, which leads to the next spiral groove 107. It

will therefore be understood that the feedcarriage is actuated by the master-gear, and the pin or spindle 113 of said carriage serves to turn the feed-controller a quarter-turn, and this motion of the feed-controller is communicated to the feed-cylinder but the feedcontroller and the feed-cylinder remain at rest while the loadingcarriage is operated from the master-gear, because the segment 66 of said master-gear which actuates the feed-cylinder-operating carriage is formed on said master-gear in the interval between the segment 61 thereof that controls the loadingca-rriage. As the loading-carriage pursues its rectilinear path to move the charge from the feed-cylinder into the gun-breech and to extract the exploded shell from said breech and deposit said shell into the feed-cylinder the latter and the feed-controller remain at rest, because the master-gear does not mesh with the rack on the feed-cylinder-operating carriage; but when the loading carriage comes to a period of rest the master-gear actuates the feed-carriage for the operation of the feed-controller and the feed-cylinder, and thus the two carriages 72 are reciprocated alternately by the master-gear.

I will now proceed to describe the oscillating feeder which is employed in conjunction with the step-by-step feed-cylinder when the invention is embodied as a rapid or quick firing gun; but it will be understood that in guns of large caliber the feeder mechanism for the feed-cylinder is not empioyed.

Above the path of the two carriages and the devices associated therewith I employ a supplementary or auxiliary frame 116, which is fastened securely to and within the main frame or housing 33, and in passing I may remark that this supplementary frame is removable readily from the main housing in order to permit ready access to the working parts of the gun for inspecting or repairing the latter. .This supplementary frame supports the oscillating feeder 117 and nearly all the elements of the firing mechanism. The feeder 117 is shown more olearlyby Figs. 2, 9, 10, and 26, and saidfeeder is disposed immediately above the revoluble feed-cy1inder and in a position to deposit the ammunition charge into either ofthe chambers 100. The feeder is provided with a curved plate or re ceptacle 118, which is fastwith across-bar, serving the purpose of, the, support for said receptacle, and at its end said feeder has the trunnions 119, which are mountedto turn freely in suitable bearings of the supplemen tary frame 116. The feeder is thus hung on a horizontal axis to turn in a vertical plane, and the movement of this feederis timed or controlled to rock in the intervals between the step-by-step feed given to the revoluble feed-cylinder, whereby the charge may be placed in the feeder and deposited by the lat: ter into a chamber of the feed-cylinder when the latter is at rest, At one end this pivoted feeder 117 is provided with a crank-arm 120, which is fast with one of the trunnions 119, (see Fig. 26,) and to this crank-arm is pivoted the upper end of a vertically-disposed pitman 121, which is slidably fitted in a suitable guide or guides 121, fast to the main frame or housing 33. The lower end of this vertically-disposed pitman 121 is provided with an eye 122 to slidably receive the inclined rod 95 on the reciprocating carriage 72. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) While the feed-cylinder, its feed-controller, and the feed-cylinderoperating carriage 110 are at rest, the loading-carriage 72 is reciprocated by the driving-gear, and as the loading-carriage travels back and forth the inclined rod 95 thereof travels through the eye of the pitman 121, whereby the pitman is reciprocated vertically on the to-and-fro travel of the loadingcarriage. The elevation of this pitman by the action of the inclined rod 95 turns the feeder 117 on its horizontal axis in a position to present its curved receptacle 11S opposite the feed mouth or slot in the casing or housing 33, whereby the ammunition charge may be deposited into the oscillating feeder. As the carriage moves in a backward direction theinclined rod 95 depresses the pitman 121 to reverse the position of the oscillating feeder, and as the feed-cylinder is stationary during the oscillation of this feeder thecharge from the feeder is deposited with precision and accuracy in the chamber of said feed-cylinder.

.It is therefore apparent that the oscillating feeder Works in unison with the loading-carriage and during the period when the feedcylinder and its associated parts are at rest, but in the rotation of the feed-cylinder, under the impelling action of the cam-slotted feed-controller and the feed-cylinder-operating carriage, the loading-carriage and the oscillating feeder'remain stationary.

I will now proceed to describe the firing mechanism by which the charge loadedinto the gun-breech may be exploded, and in this connection I desire to call attention especially to the fact that this firing mechanism is adapt ed to be operated automatically when the gun is adjusted for a continuous rapid firing, or the firing mechanism may be controlled or operated by hand. One element of the firing mechanism is a cam-plate 126. (Shown more clearly by Figs. 23, 24, and and also indicated in several of the other general figures of the drawings.) This cam-plate is capable of a pivotal swinging movement under all conditions of service of the firing mechanism; but it is mounted or supported on a slidable plate that is controlled by the m'anually'operative rod, to which the lanyard may be attached. The cam-plate 126 is supported contiguous to and over the revoluble ring or sleeve 47, so as to coact with the cam-lug 57 thereon, and this cam-plate 126 is pivoted at or near one corner or edge thereof on a pivotal pin 127, which is attached to the slidable carrier-plate 123. This slidable carrier-plate is arranged alongside of and contiguous to one of the bars of the supplementary frame 116, and at a point intermediate its length this carrier-plate is offset or bentat 123 to provide a space between the offset of the plate and the frame-bar 116. At its ends the carrier-plate is provided with longitudinal slots 124, which receive the fastening-pins 125, and these pins are secured firmly to the frame 116 to support-the carrier-plate slidably thereon. This carrier-plate is capable of reciprocatingplayin a rectilinearpath on the frame 116 and in a direction transversely across or at right angles to the axis of the gun-bore, and said carrier-plate has the pivot 127 of the camplate attached directly thereto. It will be understood that the cam-plate 126 is fitted in the space provided between the otfset'123 of the carrier-plate and the frame 116, and this cam-plate is adapted to move or travel with the carrier-plate 123 when the latter is adjusted or moved by the operation of the lanyard-rod. The pivotal cam-plate is therefore capable of traveling movement with the carrier-plate and of a pivotal movement on its pin 127 independently of the carrier-plate. Thecam-plate is provided with a curved lower edge 128, which is adapted to ride upon the cam-lug 57 of the ring or sleeve 47, and at one end this cam-plate 126 is extended to form a nose 129, which is adapted to rest upon the carrier-plate 123 at the point where the offset 123 is formed therein,whereby the cam-plate may rest on the carrier-plate to be supported at two points thereby,one of these points being formed by the pivot 127 and the other point by the nose 129, resting on the carrier-plate. The cam-plate 126 is furthermore provided with a longitudinal slot 130, in which is fitted a stud on an arm of the rock-shaft 131, as will presently appear. This rock-shaft 131 is arranged above and with its axis at right angles to the slidable carrier-plate 123 and the cam-plate 126, and said rock-shaft is 3 0111? naled in suitable bearings-132 on the frame 116. The rock-shaft is disposed above and in line with the travel of the loading-carriage 72, and at one end said rock-shaft has an arm 133, fast therewith, said arm extending alongside of the cam-plate 126 and provided with a stud 13 1, which is fitted in the slot of the cam-plate 126. The other end of the rockshaft is provided with a similar arm 135, which is fast with said shaft to rock or turn therewith, and to this arm 135 is-pivoted the upper end of a link 136. This link depends from the rock-shaft and its arm a suitable distance to have its lower end pivoted to a sear 137, and said sear is guided for movement in a vertical rectilinear path by guide flanges or lugs 138, which are disposed on the frame 116 immediately over the path of the firing-bolt, which is carried by the bed on. the loading-carriage. and 5) acts on thesear to normally depress the lower end thereof into the path of the head 81 of the firing-bolt SO, and the cam- A spring 137 (see Figs. 4

plate and the spring 137 hold the sear 137 in too firing-bolt as the carriage is moved toward the breech, and said sear holds the firing-bolt rearwardly to compress its impelling-springs, and thereby set the firing-bolt in condition to be forcibly impelled in a forward direction by its impelling-springs on the release of the sear from the bolt-head 81.

The carrier-plate 123 is provided at one end with a flange 139, to which is firmly secured a stud 1 10. The lanyard-rod 141 is disposed at one side of the main frame or housing 33, longitudinallythereof, and said lanyard-rod is guided in suitable hearings or supports within said frame or housing. (SeeFig. 9.) The inner end of the lanyard-rod is in the form of a plate, in which is produced an inclined or cam slot 1 12, that receives the stud 140 on the end of the carrier-plate 123, and when the lanyard-rod is moved in one direction this cam-slot 142 imparts movement in a rectilinear path and in onedirection to the carrier-plate 123, said plate having the camplate 126 pivoted thereon. The lanyard-rod 141 is furthermore provided with a collar 143, and in one side of this collar is cut a notch which produces an abrupt shoulder 1 14. (See Fig. 2.) A coiled impellingspring 1 15 is fitted loosely on the lanyard-rod, at a point in rear of the collar 14:3 thereon, and one end of this spring is seated against the collar, while its opposite end bears against a part of the frame or housing 33, (see Fig. 9,) whereby the spring serves to impel the lanyard-rod in a forward direction and to make the cam-slot 

